Monday, March 2, 2015

Parents worldwide often
experience a range of emotions when their child is first diagnosed with autism,
including shock, sadness and grief, anger, and loneliness. Mothers, in
particular, appear to face unique challenges that potentially have an impact on
their mental health and wellbeing. This includes high levels of psychological
distress, depressive symptoms, and social isolation. Almost 40% of mothers
report levels of clinically significant parenting stress and between 33% and
59% report significant depressive symptoms following a diagnosis of autism
spectrum disorder (ASD). The prevalence of psychological distress among mothers
of children with ASD suggests a need to address parental mental
health during the critical period after the child’s autism diagnosis and when
parents are learning to navigate the complex system of autism services.

A study published in the
journal Pediatrics
examined whether a brief cognitive behavioral intervention, problem-solving
education (PSE), decreases parenting stress and maternal depressive symptoms
during the period immediately following a child’s diagnosis of ASD. A randomized
clinical trial compared 6 sessions of PSE with usual care. Settings included an
autism clinic and 6 community-based early intervention programs. Participants
were mothers of 122 young children who recently received a diagnosis of ASD.
The intervention group received PSE, a manualized cognitive behavioral
intervention delivered in six 30-minute individualized sessions. The usual care
group mothers received the services specified in the child’s Individualized
Family Service Plan or Individualized Educational Plan which typically includes
speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and social skills training.
Neither specifically includes parent-focused mental health services.

The results indicated that
at a 3-month follow-up assessment, PSE mothers were significantly less likely
than those serving as controls to have clinically significant parental stress
(3.8% vs 29.3%). For depressive symptoms, the risk reduction in clinically
significant symptoms did not reach statistical significance; however, the
reduction in mean depressive symptoms was statistically significant. The
findings demonstrate evidence of PSE’s short-term efficacy and potential to
reduce clinically significant psychological distress during this critical
juncture—when parents first learn of an ASD diagnosis and must navigate a
complex service system on their child’s behalf.

The findings have
implications for clinical practice. Practitioners need to be aware that parents
experience a myriad of emotions when receiving a diagnosis of ASD and many go
through stages of grief. Likewise, professionals working with families of
children with an ASD should be aware of negative effects of stress and anxiety and
assist in offering services that directly address parental needs and support
maternal mental health. Strengthening maternal problem-solving skills might
serve as a buffer against the negative impact of life stressors and thereby
reduce parental stress and attenuate depressive symptoms in the months
immediately following a child’s ASD diagnosis. Future research is needed to
examine the effect of intervention over a longer follow-up period and to assess
whether the intervention worked differently among subgroups of mothers, which
could help better identify those who are most likely to benefit from the
intervention.

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The objective of bestpracticeautism.com is to advocate, educate, and informby providing a best practice guide to the screening, assessment, and intervention for school-age children on the autism spectrum. Timely articles and postings include topics such as screening, evaluation, positive behavior support (PBS), self-management, educational planning, IEP development, gender differences, evidence-based interventions (EBI) and more. This site also features up-to-date information on scientifically validated treatment options for children with ASD and a list of best practice books, articles, and links to organizations. Designed to be a practical and useful resource, bestpracticeautism.com offers essential information for psychologists, teachers, counselors, advocates and attorneys, special education professionals, and parents.

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“It is rare that one book can pack so many resources and easy to digest information into a single volume! Families, school personnel, and professionals all need the extensive, and up-to-date tips, guides, and ‘must-knows’ provided here. It’s obvious the author is both a seasoned researcher and practitioner – a winning combination.” - Dr. Debra Moore, psychologist and co-author with Dr. Temple Grandin, of The Loving Push: How Parents & Professionals Can Help Spectrum Kids Become Successful Adult

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“This book is an essential resource for every educator that works with students with ASD! The easy-to-read format is complete with up to date research on evidence-based practices for this population, sample observation and assessment worksheets and case studies that allow the reader to apply the information presented.” - Gena P. Barnhill, PhD, NCSP, BCBA-D, LBA, Director of Special Education Programs at Lynchburg College, Lynchburg, VA

“As a parent-advocate, Dr. Wilkinson's book is both comprehensive and easy to digest. It's comprehensive because it provides readers with a 10,000 foot view of the landscape. It's easy to digest because it is written in language that non-professionals can understand. If you read only one book, this is the one.” - Dan Harris, JD

"The author does a wonderful job presenting all of the data, facts, figures and statistics in a very structured layout that is straightforward, practical and convenient to access. With the rising incidence of children being diagnosed on the Autism spectrum, this guide should be required reading for all direct service providers who work with children in the school setting. On behalf of the Autism community I extend a sincere thank you to Lee Wilkinson for this impressive and most valuable resource.” - ParentCoachingforAutism.com

“Dr. Wilkinson has created an outstanding blend of academic research and practical application in a text that is so clearly written it is a pleasure to read for professionals and parents alike. This book fills an important need that has existed for years. Dr. Wilkinson has created an indispensable resource that should definitely be in each school’s professional library.” - Ally4Autism.com

"The author has expertly formatted the book and each chapter so that the reader is provided with an excellent resource of recent and relevant information pertaining to screening, formal assessment, and interventions with individuals in this population.” - Canadian Journal of School Psychology

“The uses and limitations of a variety of methods from psychometrics to observational assessments are clearly presented. Case studies give the reader exemplars of a range of assessments and the implications for learning in a highly readable way. Key issues are provided in summary boxes. Interventions include a detailed guide to promote skills in self-monitoring in the learner. In summary, this is an accessible book, of benefit to all those involved in the assessment and support of students with ASD.” - Educational Psychology in Practice

"School district administrators, attorneys, educators, and psychologists will want to have this guide available to them as a resource on 'best practices' in the field of ASD." -Diane Adreon, Associate Director, University of Miami-Nova Southeastern University center for Autism and Related Disabilities (UM-NSU CARD)

"This book provides a complete source for parents, educators, researchers and clinicians seeking information related to assessment and interventions available for individuals (mostly children) diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Parents will benefit from reading this book as it exposes variety of issues to consider when seeking assessment and treatment for their children." -Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders

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